Greater Sudbury Police Service has named its newly renovated fitness centre in honour of two Sudbury officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in the 1990s.
The fitness centre will now be known as the Joe MacDonald and Rick McDonald Fitness and Wellness Centre.
This year is the 20th anniversary of Sgt. Richard McDonald's passing on July 28, 1999, when the 12-year veteran of what was the Sudbury Regional Police at the time, was struck and fatally injured by a stolen vehicle fleeing police. McDonald was deploying a spike belt when the incident occured.
His partner in memorial, Const. Joseph MacDonald, on the other hand, was killed Oct. 7, 1993, when conducting a routine traffic stop for what he assumed was an impaired driver, he was beaten and fatally shot. The previously convicted Clinton Suzack and his partner in crime, Peter Pennett, were convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 and are 24 years through a 25-year sentence.
The police service — joined by the deceased officers' family members — made the announcement in Memorial Park Monday following the second annual Sudbury Police Memorial Awareness Run/Walk.
This is fitting to the lifestyle of these two officers, said Police Chief Paul Pedersen, who explained that both “believed in fitness and understood that a healthy body and a healthy mind helps overall wellness.”
The Sudbury Police Memorial Awareness Run/ Walk was introduced last year to raise awareness for fallen officers in and beyond Greater Sudbury, and give members of the police force an opportunity to honour these men and women.
The effort was championed by the Sudbury Police Running Club, who in recent years have begun racing together locally and the 460 kilometre National Police Memorial Run from Toronto to Ottawa.
Recognizing that a large portion of the Sudbury police and their loved ones were unaware of the national memorial event, the club felt it important to share this experience with the community, said Ryan Hutton, co-organizer, GSPS detective constable, and director of the Sudbury Police Association.
Hutton said he is one of 12 organizers of the now annual event, seven of which will be stepping up to the starting line in Toronto come September.
In addition to last year’s seven-kilometre route from the Sgt. Rick McDonald Memorial Bridge on Hwy 17, Monday’s event included a walk from Joe MacDonald Park and a 22-kilometre run from Const. Edward Terrell Bridge.
Variety was important, as this was the first year family members were invited to participate, but they weren’t the only new faces celebrating at Memorial Park.
Participants were joined in their closing ceremony by members of the Greater Sudbury Fire Service, who Hutton said he hopes to have as participants in next years event.
It is likely that in future years members of the public will also be invited to take part, said Chief Pedersen, as public awareness is a key motivator behind the event. This he said and supporting the loved ones of fallen officers in the knowledge that their sacrifice was not in vain and will not be forgotten.
“New generations of officers coming in will remember names like Rick McDonald, Gerry Daoust, Joe MacDonald,” said Pedersen.
“They'll know that each of us that's ever put on the uniform and done the front-line job, has had to put our own safety in front of public safety and that if we have to make that ultimate sacrifice, as an organization, as a profession – we won't forget.”
Police honoured in Monday’s event:
Sgt. Richard McDonald - July 30, 1961 - July 28, 1999
Const.. Joseph MacDonald - Dec. 10, 1963 - Oct. 7, 1993
Sgt. Laurier Quesnel - Nov. 27, 1930 - Oct. 14, 1965
Const. Ernest Paul - Feb. 1, 1915 - May 28, 1955
* Const. Edward Terrell - Sept. 4, 1920 - June 18, 1949
* Const. Gerry Dault - May 17, 1917 - June 18, 1949
Sgt. Frederick Davidson - Aug. 20, 1900 - July 17, 1937
Const. Albert Nault - Sept. 6, 1896 - Dec. 21, 1931
* Both Const. Terrell and Const. Dault were killed responding to the same incident.
